[08/15/06 - 12:00 AM]Sophistication and High Fashion Hits the Runway as the CW Network Reveals the 13 Finalists in the Running to Become "America's Next Top Model"

[via press release from The CW]

SOPHISTICATION AND HIGH FASHION HITS THE RUNWAY AS THE CW NETWORK REVEALS THE 13 FINALISTS IN THE RUNNING TO BECOME �AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL�

August 15, 2006

(Burbank, CA) August 15, 2006 � The competition gets fierce and feisty for the seventh cycle of the hit dramality �America's Next Top Model,� now on The CW, as the 13 finalists fight to make their dreams of becoming a top model a reality. This season, an incredible transformation takes place as the finalists face tougher challenges and live the high life participating in glamorous photo shoots all while living under one roof in a posh Los Angeles mansion. See the dramality unfold in the two-hour, seventh-cycle premiere of �America's Next Top Model� on Wednesday, September 20 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on The CW.

During this cycle, the 13 participants live together and ferociously vie for the grand prize, competing in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp. The participants abilities are tested each week as they strive to master the runway, fashion photo shoots, perfect publicity skills and learn the business aspects of becoming a supermodel, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the �America's Next Top Model� cameras. Throughout the series, supermodel Tyra Banks, art director of photo shoots Jay Manuel, and runway guru J. Alexander mentor the participants. The new grand prize package for �America's Next Top Model� will be announced at a later date.

Banks leads the panel of �America's Next Top Model� judges, comprised of leading fashion industry experts, including supermodel Twiggy, photographer Nigel Barker and runway expert J. Alexander, who closely evaluate the progress of the models to narrow the field each week. In addition, special guest judges appear to critique within his or her area of expertise.

�America's Next Top Model� is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok (�Making the Band�) and Anthony Dominici (�The Amazing Race�).